Chemist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Chemists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $118,880 a year ($57.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,220 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 15% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $140,670. There are 0.45 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| 25th percentile | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Median | $118,880 | $57.16 |
| 75th percentile | $155,270 | $74.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| Average (mean) | $121,890 | $58.60 |
Half of chemists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,953.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,572.31 |
| Weekly | $2,286.15 |
| Hourly | $57.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $118,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | 2,490 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $131,810 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,440 | 4,520 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $82,990 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $128,800 | $61.92 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Materials Scientist | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Hydrologist | $138,020 | $66.36 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $88,980 | $42.78 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,440 | $40.11 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $124,590 | $59.90 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| School Psychologist | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,000 | $40.39 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $96,220 | $46.26 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for chemists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $118,880 a year, or $57.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $185,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of chemists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $185,220 a year. The top 25% earn $155,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,070 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $84,590 or less.
How many chemists work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 610 chemists are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.